Saturday, 12 May 2018

CHRYSANTHEMUMMIES - part 1

Chrysanthemums are a beautiful, long lasting flower that are traditional in Australia for Mother’s Day.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Being a mother is usually an unsung , unpaid, on call 24 hrs job. Many other authors have detailed the huge range of tasks we do for our families. If we were actually paid for them at legal rates it would bankrupt our families! However, in theory we do get a day where we are supposed to be spoiled. I must say my family are too disorganised for that.

It was sweet the other day, I noticed Acerules was wearing a silver locket that was my (deceased) mother’s. My Mum kept a little photo of her mother in it. Acerules has inherited some of her jewellery, and some more valuable pieces have been locked away until she is older. Next year she will make her debut, at the school debutante ball. The parents and local officials attend, to whom the students are presented. The boys wear tuxedos. The girls wear white dresses like wedding dresses, and sometimes white gloves and tiaras, but no veil. She’s going to wear Mum’s diamente crown, that Mum wore to her wedding, and I wore to my first one. In the last school vacation I got it out for her to look at it. I will have to take the veil off. She will also wear my (expensive at the time) white stiletto wedding pumps (shoes) that have diamentes in a line down the heel. We are considering making over my second wedding dress for her, which is white satin and organza. She has a design in mind. There is an alternative dress, however, and it is nearly a year away. Mum would have been interested in all of this if she were still alive. She always dressed nicely. She was also small, but a force to be reckoned with.

Acerules is good at doing this facial expression. (This is not her.) Often she will say “No, just no, Mum.”

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

I remember those difficult, (but cute!) years when they were small.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Acerules is going away on school camp around 5 am on Mother’s Day itself. Not only does that mean none of the students’ mothers will get a sleep-in and breakfast in bed, but none of the teachers will either!! Doesn’t seem right somehow.

While she is away, they will have their formal school dance. In Australia that is called “the formal” and evening dress or formal day dress is usually worn. The school has relaxed the dress code for this one as they are on school camp, however semi formal or formal wear is traditional and Ace says her friends are dressing up.

Ace will be wearing a second hand black chiffon , fully lined cocktail dress embellished on the front of the bodice with diamentes, purchased from Ebay last year for this dance, and altered this week by Katja. As it is very flattering, it was popular, and the bidding on it was brisk. She also has a new black velvet evening bag with diamentes, cheap from Ebay and black satin high heel sandals on sale from Kmart also trimmed with vintage diamentes. The latter trim came from a blouse found at the op shop (thrift shop) and were cut off and applied by Katja with a glue gun. A sparkly necklace given to her by a friend for her 16 th birthday, works with a pair of vintage cluster diamente earrings , as new, from Ebay. A new diamente hair clip came from Ebay. Ace has a floppy velvet, black, tie front , long sleeve jacket, with chiffon ruffles , purchased at the op shop (thrift shop) as it will be cold where they are travelling. As usual, we adhered mostly to our belief in reusing and upcycling, to help the planet. Savvy shopping also helps our budget.

She sure is growing up. I remember the issues that came with the Primary school years. Costumes for Book week. After school activities, Saturday football and dance classes. Parent teacher nights. School fundraising fêtes (fairs). Playground bullying, and nit combs and shampoos:

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Original photo from Pexels, manipulated by Runningonempty.

Have you got a lot of costume jewellery to organise? Here is a low cost DIY jewellery storer that’s easy to make, from one of my fellow bloggers:

4 comments:

Cath you have a beautiful daughter and you should be very proud of her. I wish you all the best for Mother's Day and don't worry if no one makes you breakfast. I had to make my own too, since they were all busy spoiling our new puppy!